Toucan; International Non-Profit Cooperative

By Alex McDonald (alex@toucan-europe.co.uk)
 
We are a non-profit co-operative, based in the UK, carrying out project based work throughout Europe and the Caribbean around capacity building with Disability Organisations, and the use of new technology and accessibility.

The focus of our work has been around the issues of capacity building for disability organisations, developing networks at local, national and international levels to support activities. Also the introduction and use of new technologies, Information & Communication Technologies etc., including the issues of accessibility, enabling disabled organisation/people to become producers within the 'Information Society' not just consumers.

Caribbean

Specific work in the Caribbean has been as a support infrastructure organisation over the last 3 years, providing training and support to the development of voluntary organisations, particularly those in developing countries. Work in the Caribbean in partnership with the ILO , Trinidad and Tobago has been development of training in access to education and employment for people with disabilities, specifically with the Tobago House of Assembly and the recently formed Disability Forum. We currently have a joint bid to continue the above work through the International Lottery Fund.

Romania

Similar work has been carried out in Romania supporting the development of disability networks, joint project development and using new technologies.

The work aimed to ensure improved social integration for disabled people and access to social and health care, education and training and employment in a civil society through strengthening and supporting of the NGO's working with disabled people in Romania. This was carried out in partnership with; Organisatia Nationala s Persoanelor cu handicap din Romania (ONPHR)and Grupul De Studio Pentro Probleme Handicapatilor (GSPH).

European Partners

We are also currently running a European project, 'On-Line Information on Employment & Training Opportunities for Disabled People' (http://www.on-line.org.uk) working on the use of the Internet as a tool to increase opportunities for disabled organisations/individuals, and the issues of accessibility in the design of electronic networks but the capacity to access these networks.

This project has European partners in Spain (CEPES a consortium of social economic enterprises working on Disability & Telework), Sardinia (the International Labour Organisation & the local Association of Retinitus Pigementosa), and Gran Canaria (local NGO & the Island Government looking telework skills and rurally isolated disabled people).

Our work remit, as a non profit co-operative, is working in the area of research and development, providing technical assistance, management and training and development for organisations within the European Union and in the developing world. The focus of activities is work with people experiencing social exclusion, and innovative actions and developments that offer opportunities for economic and social integration.

Further information on our work can be found at: http://www.toucan-europe.co.uk